Public Informational Meeting Announced for
The Kingstonian, a Downtown Revitalization Initiative Project
Tuesday, October 23rd at 5:30pm at the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center
KINGSTON, N.Y. - Mayor Steve Noble is pleased to announce a public informational session, to be held on Tuesday, October 23rd at 5:30pm at the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center, located at 300 Wall St. The purpose of the meeting is to provide a status update on The Kingstonian and to enable stakeholders the opportunity to ask questions about the project.
The meeting will consist of the following:
- Opening Remarks by Mayor Noble
- Informational Presentation by developers of The Kingstonian
- DRI Project Updates
- Q & A
For over a decade, the site of the old parking garage (21 North Front St.) has remained vacant, with Request for Qualifications issued in 2008, 2013 and in 2016. The 2016 request required that any development at the site include at least 200 public parking spots to address the severe shortage of parking in the Uptown area. The request resulted in initial conceptual work completed by Wright Architects, followed by a joint partnership of the Bonura Hospitality Group and Herzog Supply Co., the latter of which owns the adjacent property, to carry out the project.
The Kingstonian was one of six priority projects to receive funding in Kingston through Governor Cuomo’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The City is currently working with the NYS Department of State to develop a project timeline and projected milestones for each DRI project in order to draft and finalize required contracts. Further updates on each DRI project will be provided in the coming months.
###
About the Downtown Revitalization Initiative
In 2017, ten communities were identified by the Governor’s Regional Economic Development Councils (REDCs) to participate in the DRI. The State facilitated a community planning process that resulted in a Strategic Investment Plan for each community. To fully leverage the impact of the DRI, Local Planning Committees identified projects that totaled in excess of the available DRI funds to ensure a continued pipeline of projects ready for funding within the community.
In July 2018, Governor Cuomo announced funding for six priority projects, totaling $9.7 million, including:
Schwenk Drive Complete Street Redesign:
Reconfiguration of Schwenk Drive between Washington Avenue and Fair Street into a complete street to create a desirable, walkable, pedestrian-friendly connection through the Stockade Business District, and eventually the Kingston Greenline trail system. Work will include lane reconfiguration, intersection upgrades and ADA improvements, creation of new two-way protected bicycle lanes, and creation of a new parking lane. ($987,102)
Upgrade Dietz Stadium and Andretta Pool
Dietz Stadium is a 2,000-seat facility that serves as a major venue for organized sports both locally and regionally. Improvements will be made to bleachers, water fountains, fencing and gates, lighting, bike racks, lockers rooms and bathrooms, food vending, signage, and parking. Additional upgrades will be made to the Andretta Pool and picnic facility, located across from Dietz Stadium. ($2,500,000)
Frog Alley Park Historic Green Space:
Stabilize the remnants of the historic Louw-Bogardus House and create a public open space along Frog Alley next to the ruins which will serve as a gateway to the Stockade Business District. The Friends of Historic Kingston will open the site to the public after stabilizing the ruin and adding interpretive signage, paving, lighting and park amenities. ($472,500)
Stockade Business District Access and Circulation Improvements:
Improvement of pedestrian access, traffic circulation, and wayfinding signage within the Stockade Business District, including improvements to the intersection of Albany and Clinton Avenues. Key upgrades identified in previous transportation plans will improve safety and navigability while attracting tourism, shopping, dining and business activity to the area. ($1,340,398)
Kingstonian Development Public Plaza and Pedestrian Bridge:
Provide for public amenities within the new $48 million Kingstonian mixed-use development that will transform a largely underutilized site at a prominent intersection by adding: 132 residential units; 8,500 square feet of commercial space expected to include a mix of restaurants and retail shops; a 34-room hotel; and a 420-space parking garage with 250 spaces dedicated for public use. DRI funds will provide for site preparations and utility relocations for the proposed public parking garage, along with funds for a pedestrian plaza and pedestrian connections to the Kingston Plaza. ($3,800,000)
Stockade Business District Small Grants and Loans Program:
Support downtown small businesses and property owners by offering financial assistance in the form of small grants and loans for targeted improvements throughout the downtown, including façade improvements for buildings in the Stockade Business District; support for new and expanding businesses; and rehabilitation of downtown residential properties. ($600,000)
View the City of Kingston’s approved Strategic Investment Plan here: https://www.ny.gov/sites/ny.gov/files/atoms/files/Kingston_DRI_Plan.pdf
To learn more about the Downtown Revitalization Initiative, visit: www.ny.gov/downtown-revitalization-initiative/mid-hudson-kingston or www.kingston-ny.gov/DRI